Here it is… my last blog. I still can’t believe how fast these three months have gone by.
I am incredibly grateful and happy that I had the opportunity to complete my internship with Thien Chi NGO. These months have been eye-opening in so many ways. I learned about the daily reality of rural Vietnam, the challenges families face, and the important role an NGO can play in improving their lives.
What impressed me the most is how meaningful and impactful Thien Chi’s work truly is. When you visit the families, you don’t just hear about change, you see it. You see children staying in school because their education is supported. You see families becoming more financially stable thanks to loans, health support, and agricultural models. You see concrete improvements in daily life, and it’s incredibly powerful.
One thing I deeply admire about Thien Chi is that they never apply a generic solution. Every family has a different story, a different need, a different struggle. Thien Chi takes all of this into account. The support given is personalized, thoughtful, and adapted to each household. Regular follow up visits ensure that no family is left alone with their problems, there is always someone to listen, to guide, and to help them find the next step forward if needed.
Another aspect that stayed with me is how focused the organization is on innovation. Thien Chi doesn’t just repeat the same old methods; they constantly look for what is missing and what could be improved. Two examples really stood out to me:
1. The agricultural models
These models are simple, innovative, and tailored to the specific conditions of each area. They consider the environment, the families’ capacities, and the long-term sustainability of the activities. They make a real difference in the families’ daily lives. (If you want to know more about them, I wrote two blogs entirely dedicated to these models!)
2. The Early Intervention Center in Duc Linh
Seeing the need for children with special needs to receive proper support, without having to travel all the way to Ho Chi Minh City, Thien Chi created a center right here in the district. With trained teachers, adapted activities, and cheap prices, it gives access to help that was previously out of reach. Once again, this shows the NGO’s capacity to identify what is missing and to take action.
An additional important thing is that Thien Chi never provides everything. Their work is based on participation. They support families financially, but families must also participate, contribute, and take part in the implementation process. This strengthens responsibility, empowerment, and ownership, and it works.
I cannot finish this blog mentioning the scholarships (full blog on the subject: https://thienchicenter.org/article/more-about-scholarships-21184.html)
The amount of work behind every scholarship is unbelievable: home visits, interviews, screenings, evaluations… And the impact is huge. Scholarships help students stay in school, reduce financial pressure on parents, and keep the hope of higher education alive. Each year, hundreds of kids receive support, hundreds of futures that become a little brighter.
Thank you to the entire Thien Chi team for your kindness, your dedication and your incredible work.
Leticia